U.S. patent application number 10/624202 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-26 for waste trap.
This patent application is currently assigned to McAlpine & Company Limited. Invention is credited to McAlpine, James Kenneth.
Application Number | 20040034925 10/624202 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37910124 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040034925 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McAlpine, James Kenneth |
February 26, 2004 |
Waste trap
Abstract
A waste trap 10 for use in plumbing installations is provided,
the trap comprising a unitary metal body 12 defining an interior
volume, and having a tubular plastics insert 20 located in an inlet
14 of the body 12 and extending into the volume to below the height
of a waste outlet 16. The insert 20 partitions the upper portion of
the volume into two regions, and serves to provide a water seal
between the inlet 14 and the outlet 16 when the trap is in use. The
insert is non-removably secured to the body.
Inventors: |
McAlpine, James Kenneth;
(Barrhead Glasgow, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DEREK H. MAUGHAN
DYKAS, SHAVER & NIPPER, LLP
P.O. BOX 877
BOISE
ID
83701-0877
US
|
Assignee: |
McAlpine & Company
Limited
Glasgow
GB
|
Family ID: |
37910124 |
Appl. No.: |
10/624202 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10624202 |
Jul 21, 2003 |
|
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10128681 |
Apr 22, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/649 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/29 20130101; Y10T
137/4553 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/649 |
International
Class: |
E03C 001/33 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A waste trap comprising a body defining an interior volume, and
having an inlet and an outlet each located at a height on the body;
and an insert located in the inlet and extending into and
partitioning the volume to below the height of the outlet, to allow
provision of a liquid seal between the inlet and outlet, wherein
the insert is non-removably secured to the body.
2. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert is secured
to the body by a securing means selected from the group of welding,
brazing, adhesive, mechanical locking, and snap-fitting.
3. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the body is a unitary
body.
4. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the body is formed of
metal.
5. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the body is produced
by casting.
6. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert is
tubular.
7. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert is
cylindrical.
8. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert is of
plastics material.
9. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert is of a
design which may be utilised in a variety of body forms or
designs.
10. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert is
secured to the inlet of the body.
11. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the insert and body
are manufactured separately, and the insert is subsequently
inserted into the body.
12. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the height of the
inlet in the body is above the height of the outlet.
13. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the body defines a
top and a side, and the inlet is located in the top of the body and
the outlet is located in the side of the body.
14. A waste trap according to claim 1, wherein the body further
comprises fittings for attaching the trap to other plumbing
components.
15. A waste trap according to claim 1, further comprising a second
insert lining an internal surface of the outlet.
16. A method of manufacturing a waste trap, the method comprising
the steps of: providing a body defining an interior volume, and
having an inlet and an outlet each located at a height on the body;
locating an insert in the inlet extending into the volume to below
the height of the outlet; and non-removably securing said insert to
said body.
17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the step of providing
the body comprises the step of producing a unitary body.
18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the body is produced by
casting metal.
19. A waste trap comprising a body defining an interior volume, and
having an inlet and an outlet each located at a height on the body;
and an insert located in the inlet and extending into and
partitioning the volume to below the height of the outlet, wherein
the trap contains a volume of liquid to provide a liquid seal
between the inlet and outlet, said insert being non-removably
secured to said body.
20. A waste trap comprising a unitary metal body defining an
interior volume, and having an inlet and an outlet; and an insert
located in the inlet and extending into and partitioning the volume
to below the height of the outlet; wherein the insert is
tamper-proof.
21. A waste trap comprising a body defining an interior volume, and
having an inlet and an outlet each located at a height on the body;
and an insert adapted to be located in the inlet and adapted to
extend into and partition the volume to below the height of the
outlet, wherein the trap contains a volume of liquid to provide a
liquid seal between the inlet and outlet, said insert being adapted
to be non-removably secured to said body.
22. The trap of claim 1 wherein the insert is snap-fitted onto said
body.
23. The trap of claim 1 wherein the insert has an upper end and the
inlet has an upper end, and the upper end of the insert is located
below the upper end of the inlet.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/128,681.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a waste trap for use in
plumbing installations and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is a requirement of environmental legislation that waste
outlets from plumbing installations, such as sinks, basins,
bathtubs, urinals, and the like, incorporate a waste trap between
the installation and the mains outflow. Such waste traps prevent
emission of noxious gases from the mains outflow, and help to
provide a barrier between the plumbing installation and the mains
outflow. A typical waste trap provides a water or other fluid seal
within the plumbing, such that fluids may flow from the plumbing
outflow, through the fluid seal, and into the mains outflow without
disrupting the integrity of the fluid seal and hence the risk of
emission of gases.
[0004] The traditional form of a water trap is the conventional
U-bend; that is, a U-shaped section of piping which retains a water
seal within the bend of the U. While this arrangement is adequate
for many purposes, it does require a certain minimum amount of
space for installation, which may not always be available. Further,
as the importance of interior design increases, and customers
become more sensitive to aesthetic appeal of products, the
traditional U-bend is becoming less popular, due to its perception
as unsightly. Generally U-bend traps have been installed in hidden
plumbing arrangements, and so there has been little or no pressure
for aesthetic appeal from the traps. However, as fashions move
towards the use of more exposed plumbing, there are pressures
towards the use of more compact and more aesthetically pleasing
exposed waste traps.
[0005] More compact waste traps are known, which may be used in
more restricted spaces than conventional U-bend traps. For example,
compact injection-moulded plastics traps may be produced having an
internal partition to create a water seal in use between an inlet
and an outlet. Such traps are produced in two or more separate
parts, a main body including the inlet, outlet, and partition, and
a closure member which is subsequently sonic welded to the lower
part of the body to form the complete trap; however, this method of
production involves high initial costs, and is only economically
viable for large production runs. These traps are known as `bottle
traps`; bottle traps may be excluded from certain markets for
regulatory reasons, in that typical bottle traps may be unable to
meet particular stringent relevant legislation.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,135 to Palmer describes an elongate
drain trap including a metal insert slidably received in the body
of the trap. The insert is intended to be removable from and
repositionable within the trap. Further, the insert is not intended
to form a water seal within the trap, but is intended to serve to
conduct heat into the interior of the trap; to assist in the
melting of ice plugs should the water in the trap freeze.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 294,489 to McCloskey describes a bottle trap
formed of metal into which is received a metal inlet pipe. The
inlet pipe is releasably screwed into a tubular sleeve to locate it
within the trap body, and is described as being removable from the
body of the device.
[0008] UK Patent Application GB 2 070 093A to Carter describes a
plastics drainage trap for a shower tray, which includes a dip tube
bonded to a cover, with the tube being received into a body. The
cover and the tube together are upwardly removable from the body of
the trap.
[0009] Many traditional plumbing products are now being produced
from unusual materials for aesthetic reasons; for example, glass or
marble basins and the like. These materials do not fit well
visually with plastics traps. Traps are typically produced from
injection-moulded plastics, but for aesthetic reasons many
customers prefer to have a metallic appearance to the trap; hence
the plastics trap may be plated with a thin layer of metal. Again,
this increases the costs of manufacture. Further, the trap
nonetheless retains the weight and feel of a plastics trap, which
may deter some customers. However, plating technology now makes
available a large range of different and unusual plating finishes,
such as brushed, hammered, or weathered finishes of a range of
different colours. Many of these finishes are not suitable for
plating onto plastics products, and are thus excluded from use with
conventional bottle traps.
[0010] It is among the objects of embodiments of the present
invention to obviate or alleviate these and other disadvantages of
known waste traps.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a waste trap comprising a body defining an interior
volume, and having an inlet and an outlet each located at a height
on the body; and an insert located in the inlet and extending into
and partitioning the volume to below the height of the outlet, to
allow provision of a liquid seal between the inlet and outlet,
wherein the insert is non-removably secured to the body.
[0012] The present invention thus allows the body of the trap to be
manufactured without an insert or partition for permitting creation
of the liquid seal, thereby simplifying and rendering less
expensive the manufacturing process--for example, in preferred
embodiments of the invention complex injection moulds are not
required to produce the body, since the internal topography of the
trap is created by the insert; in addition, welding is not
necessary to complete the body, so improving integrity of the body.
The height of the water seal produced may also be varied through
the simple expedient of using inserts of different lengths. The
insert may be manufactured separately, and subsequently inserted
into the body to allow creation of a water seal. The insert is also
non-removably secured to the body; although a separate insert
provides for ease of manufacture, if the insert were subsequently
removable from the trap this would allow the trap to be
disassembled, the insert removed, and the trap reassembled. This is
undesirable since it can lead to health and hygiene risks due to
the trap failing to create a water seal in use.
[0013] Preferably the insert is secured to the inlet of the body.
This has the advantage of ease of access during assembly for
securing the insert to the body. This also prevents unauthorised
removal of the insert and reduces the risk of tampering with the
trap or of breaking the water seal and rendering the trap
non-functional. The insert may be secured to the body by any
suitable means, for example, glue, adhesive, welding, brazing,
mechanical locking such as a snap-fit or keys, a cap, nut, or the
like. The insert of the present invention is also tamper-proof in
the sense that it is not possible to remove the insert from the
body once assembled and secured without damaging the insert or the
body. This ensures that accidental installation of the trap without
the insert is not possible.
[0014] Preferably the body is a unitary body; that is, produced in
one piece.
[0015] Preferably the body is formed of metal; conveniently brass
or steel may be used. The body may be plated with a desired metal
and finished appropriately; for example, a mirrored chrome plate.
The provision of a metal body facilitates plating, and also assists
production of a substantially smooth and seamless body. Preferably
the body is produced by casting, most preferably die-casting. The
separate nature of the body and the insert of the present invention
allows a metal casting process to be used for manufacture. This is
not only simple and relatively inexpensive when compared to
injection moulding of plastics, but also allows for the manufacture
of all-metal traps which have an aesthetically favourable
appearance and feel. Furthermore, the relatively low costs involved
in tooling up to produce a particular body facilitate small
production runs, allowing body designs to change to take account of
changing tastes, and the production of custom-made or low-volume
body designs for specific customers. For example, a unique trap
body design may be produced exclusively for fitting in a new
building complex.
[0016] Preferably the insert is tubular, and more preferably
cylindrical. While it may be possible for the insert to form a
reliable seal by interaction of the insert with an inner wall of
the body, it is preferred that the insert itself is tubular.
[0017] Preferably the insert is of plastics material; although
metal or other suitable materials may be used if preferred. It is
preferred that the insert is of a design which may be utilised in a
variety of body forms or designs.
[0018] Preferably the insert and body are manufactured separately,
and the insert is subsequently inserted into the body.
[0019] Preferably the height of the inlet in the body is above the
height of the outlet.
[0020] Preferably the body defines a top and a side, and the inlet
is located in the top of the body and the outlet is located in the
side of the body.
[0021] Preferably the body further comprises fittings for attaching
the trap to other plumbing components. For example, screw threads
may be provided on the outlet and inlet. Where the insert is
secured to the body by means of a nut or the like, a screw thread
may be provided on an exterior surface of the nut.
[0022] The trap may further comprise a second insert lining an
internal surface of the outlet. This allows provision of a smooth
internal bore of the outlet without the need for precision
machining or manufacturing of the outlet bore itself.
[0023] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of manufacturing a waste trap, the method
comprising the steps of:
[0024] providing a body defining an interior volume, and having an
inlet and an outlet each located at a height on the body;
[0025] locating an insert in the inlet extending into the volume to
below the height of the outlet; and
[0026] non-removably securing the insert to the body.
[0027] The step of providing the body may comprise the step of
producing a unitary body. The body may be produced by casting
metal.
[0028] According to a further aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a waste trap comprising a body defining an
interior volume, and having an inlet and an outlet each located at
a height on the body; and an insert located in the inlet and
extending into and partitioning the volume to below the height of
the outlet, wherein the trap contains a volume of liquid to provide
a liquid seal between the inlet and outlet, said insert being
non-removably secured to the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] These and other aspects of the present invention will now be
described by way of example only and with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a trap in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention attached to a section of
pipe.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the body of the trap of FIG.
1.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a side view of the trap body of FIG. 2.
[0033] FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the trap of FIG.
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] Referring first of all to FIG. 1, this shows a sectional
view of a waste trap, in particular a pedestal lavatory trap, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The trap 10
comprises a compact, cast brass body 12 having an inlet 14 and an
outlet 16, with the body 12 defining a volume 18 there between. The
inlet 14 is located on the top of the body 12, with the outlet 16
being provided on the side of the body at a lower height.
[0035] Located within the body 12 and inlet 14 is a tubular
plastics insert 20, which extends into the volume 18 to
substantially below the height of the outlet 16. A shoulder 22 on
the lower surface of the interior of the body provides a stop
against which the insert 20 may rest; this allows the insert to be
located at a predetermined height within the body during assembly.
The top of the insert 20 carries a protruding flange 24, which
rests on top of the inlet 14. The insert is non-removably secured
to the inlet by means of adhesive; this prevents the insert from
being subsequently removed. A securing nut 26 is fastened to the
body 12 by means of co-operating screw threads on the inlet and
nut, and abuts the upper surface of the inlet flange 24 thereby
serving to further secure the inlet 20 within the body 12. The nut
26 may be made non-removable to further ensure that the insert is
non-removably secured to the body. Alternatively, the insert may be
non-removably secured to the body by welding, brazing, mechanical
locking, snap-fitting, and the like. This list is not exhaustive,
and further securing methods may of course be used.
[0036] The outlet 16 of the body 12 also carries therein a second
plastics insert 28, although this insert 28 does not extend into
the volume 18 defined by the body. The insert 28 is also secured to
the outlet 16 by means of a securing nut 30. The second insert 28
provides a smooth inner face to facilitate secure and fluid-tight
fitting of a section of pipe 32 or the like into the trap 10 in
use.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the body 12 of the
trap of FIG. 1, showing the threaded inlet 14 and outlet 16. The
body 12 is cast in a single unit from brass, which is then polished
and plated to provide a smooth and seamless appearance. The
plastics insert 20 is simply inserted into the inlet 14 and pushed
into the volume 18 until the lower end of the insert abuts the stop
22. The securing nut 26 may then be fastened to the inlet 14 to
securely retain the insert 20 therein; alternative or additional
securing means as described above may be used.
[0038] Side and perspective views of the trap 10 are shown in FIGS.
3, 4, and 5, which serve to illustrate the compact nature of the
trap.
[0039] When in use, the trap 10 retains a column of water or other
liquid within the volume 18 defined by the trap body 12. This
column of water extends into the tubular insert 20 as well as that
part of the volume outside the insert. Thus, the water column may
act as a water seal to prevent backflow of fluids and gases through
the trap 10.
[0040] The manufacture of the trap 10 is simplified by the integral
nature of the body, and the ease of assembly of the body and
insert. Further, the possibility of casting the body from metal
allows for all-metal traps to be produced if desired.
* * * * *